DIAGNOSTIC TESTING DEVICE FOR THE SKIN

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the use of a diagnostic testing device for the skin, comprising at least one compartment for the accommodation of a diagnostic aid, an adhesive strip on which the compartment is accommodated, and a removable protective strip which is stuck to the adhesive strip at the same side as the compartment.

[0002] Such a testing device is known from Dutch Application 8,701,577. It is intended for testing the allergic reaction of the skin of a test subject to various test substances and test liquids. These test substances and test liquids are each accommodated in a compartment of the testing device, which can be applied by means of the adhesive strip to a specific position on the skin of a test subject. The test substances and test liquids are left to act on the skin for a predetermined period, e.g. 72 hours, following which the testing device is removed again.

[0003] Since the test substances and test liquids are held captive between the skin and the compartment in question during the test, the influence of the different substances can be determined well individually.

[0004] In practice, the known testing device is used as follows: First of all, the removable protective strip adhering to the adhesive strip is removed. The various test substances and test liquids are then placed in the compartments which have now become free, following which the whole combination is stuck on the skin of a test subject by means of the adhesive strip. In the process the test substances and test liquids in the compartments come into contact with the part of the skin which is covered by the compartment in question. This last factor is very important for being able to determine accurately the influence on the skin of each of the various substances individually.

[0005] However, with the use of this known testing device the problem occurs that the placing of the test substances and test liquids in the compartments does not always take place equally accurately, owing to the inaccuracy of the metering devices/hypodermic needle holders for the substances and phials for the liquids. The test substance or test liquid is sometimes spilt on the adhesive strip, as a result of which the allergic reaction does not remain limited to the "test area" and the adjacent skin can also be affected. If another substance also happens to be spilt on the adhesive strip, there is a risk of the various substances becoming mixed, which means that a reliable result can no longer be obtained. Besides, in such a case the test can no longer reasonably be carried out, because the adhesive layer of the plaster has lost its effectiveness.

[0006] US-A-4341208 discloses a therapeutical device comprising an adhesive strip with an area thereon for accomodating an ointment and a removable protective strip stuck to the adhesive and surrounding said area.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a diagnostic testing device of the type described above, which does not have this disadvantage, and in the case of which it can always be ensured that the test substances and test liquids are situated only in their appropriate compartments. This disadvantage is overcome by virtue of the features of claim 1. At the position of each compartment the protective strip is provided with an opening corresponding essentially to the compartment, one or more rows of compartments are provided on the adhesive strip, and the protective strip has a corresponding number of rows of openings. This means that the compartments are accessible through the protective strip, while the whole of the remaining part of the adhesive strip is screened off by the protective strip.

[0008] In the period 1987 - 1988 a device of the above type was sold in rolls and the compartments (1) were filled with test substances, the adhesive layer cut into strips of 5 compartments, the protective layer (4) replaced by another cover and the end products were sold further. So, the device was known as an intermediate product.

[0009] If a certain part of the test substances and test liquids is spilt during placing in the compartments, this part falls onto the protective strip. Before the testing device is applied to the skin, the protective strip is removed, in which case any test substances and test liquids spilt on it are also removed. The exposed adhesive strip is completely free of spilt substances, and compartments filled with test substances and test liquids in the correct manner can be applied directly to the skin. In the case of the use according to the invention it is therefore ensured at all times that the skin is brought into contact with the various test substances and test liquids only at the position of the compartments. The user-friendliness of the testing device is consequently considerably greater than that of the known device both for the wearer and the doctor or his or her assistant. The product is also easier to handle due to the fact that the adhesive layer is in fact exposed only when the testing device is applied to the skin.

[0010] Each compartment preferably has a plate-shaped bottom which is fixed to the adhesive strip and has a raised edge surrounding the bottom, and each opening in the protective strip is of a shape corresponding to the periphery of the edge. The compartments in this case project with their edge through the protective strip.

[0011] In practice, several substances are preferably tested simultaneously. For this, one or more rows of compartments are provided on the adhesive strip, and the protective strip has a corresponding number of rows of openings.

[0012] The compartments are preferably not interconnected, in such a way that the protective strip rests over its entire surface against the adhesive strip. In the case of the known testing device the compartments are interconnected by bridges, which means that the protective strip cannot rest against the adhesive strip at that point According to the invention, it is now ensured that the whole surface of the adhesive strip outside the compartments is protected against drying out, in such a way that good adhesion of the adhesive strip to the skin can be obtained.

[0013] As regards the known product, the philosophy is that the compartment must be of such a capacity that it can hold at least 100 microlitres of test substance/test liquid. If it is a solution in water, the compartment preferably contains a carrier material, such as a piece of filter paper for absorbing the test liquid. In the case of test materials which are not water-soluble, the test material is placed in the test compartment as a mixture with vaseline.

[0014] It has been found that it is sufficient to place only half or almost a quarter of the quantity of test substance used hitherto in the compartments of the testing device for use according to the invention. In this way a good test result is obtained already with a quantity of, for example, 30 µl.

[0015] The shape of the raised edge of the compartment must be such that after placing on the skin a good containment is achieved. It goes without saying that leakage of the compartments after application to the skin produces undesirable reactions of the skin and makes assessment of the test result difficult.

[0016] The edge of the compartments is to this end preferably rounded off in cross-section, the rounding being stronger on the inside of the edge than on the outside.

[0017] An advantage of the rounding on the outside of the edge is the greater comfort for the wearer. In this respect an even greater improvement can be obtained if the plate is square and has rounded corner points, and the edges have correspondingly rounded corner points.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment it is known to dispose a layer provided with at least one opening on the adhesive strip, which opening together with the adhesive strip forms a compartment. The invention can be used in this testing device also, by ensuring that the openings in the layer coincide with the openings in the protective strip.

[0019] The compartments can be protected from external influences before use through the fact that a covering, detachable cover strip is provided at the sides facing away from the adhesive strip.

[0020] The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to an example of an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of the testing device for use according to the invention, in which the protective- strip is partially removed.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a side view, partially in cross-section, of the device according to Figure 1.

[0023] Figures 3a, 3b show details of a compartment.

[0024] The device shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises an adhesive strip 1, to which an adhesive 2 is applied. A number of compartments 3 are applied in the same way as the adhesive 2, said compartments having a bottom 5 and a raised edge 6 surrounding it. A test substance, which may or may not be applied to a piece of filter paper, is placed in the recess formed by the bottom 5 and the raised edge 6.

[0025] A protective strip 4, to protect the adhesive 2 from drying out, is applied to the adhesive layer 2 of the adhesive strip 1. The protective strip 4 is provided with openings 7, the position and dimensions of which correspond to those of the compartments 3. It will be clear that when a test substance is being placed in the various compartments a quantity of substance may be spilt on the protective strip 4, and will not reach the adhesive strip 1. As soon as the protective strip 4 is then removed from the adhesive strip 1, the spilt substance is also removed, with the result that an entirely clean adhesive strip 1 remains and can be applied directly to the skin.

[0026] A detachable cover strip 9, which is joined to the protective strip 4 by means of adhesive edges 10, can be provided on the top of the compartments 3. The compartments 3 are in this way protected well from external influences before use.

[0027] The testing device also has a lengthwise running dividing line 8, in such a way that two rows of five compartments each, with their own adhesive strip can be formed.

[0028] In the compartment shown in Figures 3a and 3b the edge 6 is designed in cross-section with a fairly great curvature on the inside 11, for example with a radius of curvature of 0.2 mm. The curvature on the outside 12 is less great, for example having a radius of curvature of 0.8 mm.

[0029] In top view the corners 13 of the compartment are rounded. The rounded corners provide the wearer with greater comfort.

[0030] Figure 4 shows a view in perspective of the testing device according to the invention, in which the protective strip 4 is provided with a cut 14 near one of its peripheral sides. This cut 14 makes it possible to remove the protective strip easily in two parts from the adhesive strip. Of course, it is also possible for the protective strip to be provided with a cut which is in the centre, for example, and not near one of its peripheral sides. However, the latter embodiment has the disadvantage that, due to the weight of the compartments, the device has a tendency to sag along the lengthwise side at the position of the cut This is undesirable, because a rounding in the device, which generally arises towards the side where the cut is situated, detaches the protective strip to some extent from the adhesive material, which consequently deteriorates in quality through oxidation.

[0031] The test plaster can have rounded corners which increase the comfort for the wearer.

[0032] The adhesive strip is preferably provided with an adhesive which is readily tolerated by the skin. A porous acrylate copolymer which can be tolerated by the skin is preferably used. The use of an adhesive which is resistant to perspiration (so-called wet stick adhesives) is recommended.

[0033] The adhesive strip generally comprises a nonwoven textile or plastic material and is, for example, a colour corresponding to the colour of the skin.

[0034] The present invention is explained with reference to a diagnostic testing device, in which the compartments have a square plate-shaped bottom with corresponding edges. Instead of being square, the compartments can, however, be of any desired shape, and can be, for example, round or oval.

[0035] The advantages of the testing device according to the invention can be summarized as follows:

[0036] In the case of the known products the adhesive strip is to a greater or lesser extent detached from the protective strip, as a result of the height of the raised edge of the compartments. This means that in a small region around each compartment oxygen comes into contact with the adhesive on the adhesive strip. After a few weeks (of storage) have passed, the adhesive force is greatly reduced, as a result of the oxidation which has occurred. Through the perforation of the protective strip at the position of the compartments, the device according to the invention can be kept for a long time, for example a year. The protective strip lies completely tightly on the adhesive layer of the adhesive strip around each compartment Premature oxidation of the adhesive layer is consequently absolutely impossible.

[0037] Devices of the present type without protective strip are difficult to handle. Such a device "hangs" over the palm of the hand and the fingers, while at the same time the compartments must be filled with a specified quantity of test substance or test liquid using injection devices which meter poorly in practice. In the case of the device according to the invention the protective strip need not be removed before the compartments are filled. The firmness of the device as such means that accurate filling of the compartments can be carried out in the optimum way, despite the often inaccurate working of the injection devices.

[0038] In the case of the known devices an excess of test substance or test liquid makes the device worthless, because the adhesive force of the adhesive strip is adversely affected. Besides, such an excess causes great inaccuracy of the test results. In the case of the device according to the invention an excess of test preparation can be removed from the protective strip in a simple manner, for example using a cotton bud. This means that an accurate preparation of the test is possible.

[0039] The preparation of extensive and large numbers of tests is impossible in the case of the known devices having a protective strip, because on removal of the protective strip the adhesion of the adhesive layer is reduced due to the oxidation discussed above. However, with the device according to the invention large and extensive tests for different patients can be prepared in an excellent manner in one go. The adhesive layer remains in excellent condition due to the continual presence of the protective strip.

[0040] The storage of testing devices prepared in advance is not easily possible in the case of the known devices. A large amount of storage space is needed for the devices without protective strip, in order to prevent adhesion between them. The storage of a large number of tests prepared a long way ahead is readily possible with the device according to the invention. In practice, tests are often prepared for a whole week.

[0041] The devices according to the present type are often applied for a period of, for example, 72 hours to the skin of the person being tested. In the case of the known device it is often necessary to fix the test plaster additionally by sticking on extra plasters. The device according to the invention makes it possible to carry out 72-hour tests with good results without sticking on other plasters. The use of a wet stick adhesive means that the test plaster according to the invention retains its adhesion, even if the test subject perspires heavily.

Claims

1. The use of a device for diagnostic skin testing wherein the device comprises at least one compartment (3) for the accomodation of a diagnostic aid, an adhesive strip (1) on which the compartment (3) is accomodated, and a removable protective strip (4) which is stuck to the adhesive strip (1) at the same side as the compartment (3), wherein the protective strip (4) is provided with an opening (7) at the position of each compartment, one or more rows of compartments (3) are provided on the adhesive strip (1), and the protective strip (4) has a corresponding number of rows of openings (7),
   characterised in that test substance is placed in the compartments (3) the protective strip (4) is removed from the adhesive strip (1) and then the adhesive strip (1) is directly applied to the skin.

2. Use according to claim 1, in which each compartment (3) has a plate-shaped bottom (5) which is fixed to the adhesive strip (1) and has a raised edge (6) surrounding the bottom (5), and each opening (7) in the protective strip (4) is of a shape corresponding to the periphery of the edge (6).

3. Use according to claim 2, in which the compartments (3) are not interconnected, and the protective strip (4) rests over its entire surface against the adhesive strip (1).

4. Use according to claim 2 or 3, in which the edge (6) is rounded off in cross-section.

5. Use according to claim 4, in which the rounding is greater on the inside of the edge than on the outside.

6. Use according to claim 5, in which the plate (5) is square and has rounded corner points, and the edges (6) have correspondingly rounded corner points.

7. Use according to claim 1, in which a layer provided with at least one opening is situated on the adhesive strip, which opening together with the adhesive strip forms a compartment, and the openings in the layer coincide with the openings in the protective strip.

8. Use according to any of the preceding claims, in which a detachable cover strip (9) covering the compartments (3) at the side facing away from the adhesive strip (1) is provided.

9. Use according to any of the preceding claims, in which the protective strip (4) is provided with a cut (14) near one of its peripheral sides.

Ansprüche

1. Verwendung eines diagnostischen Untersuchungserzeugnisses für die Haut, wobei das Erzeugnis zumindest eine Kammer (3) zur Aufnahme eines Diagnostikums, einen Klebestreifen (1), auf dem die Kammer (3) vorgesehen ist, und einen abziehbaren Schutzstreifen (4) aufweist, der auf dem Klebestreifen (1) auf der gleichen Seite wie die Kammer (3) festgelegt ist, wobei der Schutzstreifen (4) im Bereich jeder Kammer jeweils eine Öffnung (7) aufweist,

auf dem Klebestreifen (1) eine oder mehrere Reihen von Kammern (3) vorgesehen sind, und

der Schutzstreifen (4) eine entsprechende Anzahl von Reihen mit Öffnungen (7) aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass Testsubstanz in die Kammern (3) eingebracht, der Schutzstreifen (4) von dem Klebestreifen (1) entfernt und der Klebestreifen (1) dann direkt auf die Haut aufgebracht werden.

2. Verwendung eines Untersuchungserzeugnisses nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jede Kammer (3) einen plattenförmigen, auf dem Klebestreifen (1) befestigten Boden (5) sowie einen den Boden (5) umschließenden erhabenen Rand (6) aufweist, dessen Außenkontur die Form jeder Öffnung (7) im Schutzstreifen (4) angepasst ist.

3. Verwendung eines Untersuchungserzeugnisses nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kammern (3) nicht miteinander verbunden sind, und dass der Schutzstreifen (4) mit seiner gesamten Oberfläche auf dem Klebestreifen (1) aufliegt.

4. Verwendung eines Untersuchungserzeugnisses nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Rand (6) einen abgerundeten Querschnitt aufweist.

5. Verwendung eines Untersuchungserzeugnisses nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Abrundung auf der Innenseite des Randes größer ist als auf dessen Außenseite.

6. Verwendung eines Untersuchungserzeugnisses nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Bodenplatte (5) viereckig mit abgerundeten Eckpunkten ausgebildet ist, und dass die Ränder (6) entsprechend abgerundete Eckpunkte aufweisen.

7. Verwendung eines Untersuchungserzeugnisses nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass auf dem Klebestreifen eine Schicht mit zumindest einer Ausnehmung angeordnet ist, die zusammen mit dem Klebestreifen eine Kammer bildet, wobei sich die Ausnehmungen in der Schicht mit den Öffnungen im Schutzstreifen decken.

8. Verwendung eines Untersuchungserzeugnisses nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kammern (3) auf ihrer dem Klebestreifen (1) abgewandten Seite von einem abziehbaren Abdeckstreifen (9) abgedeckt sind.

9. Verwendung eines Untersuchungserzeugnisses nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schutzstreifen (4) dicht neben einem seiner Außenränder eine Durchtrennung (14) aufweist.

Revendications

1. Utilisation d'un dispositif servant à tester les réactions de la peau à diverses substances à des fins de diagnostic dans laquelle le dispositif comprend au moins, un compartiment (3) pour recevoir un auxiliaire de diagnostic, une bande adhésive (1) sur laquelle est placée le compartiment (3) et une bande de protection amovible (4), collée sur la bande adhésive (1) du même côté que le compartiment (3), dans laquelle la bande de protection (4) est pourvue d'une ouverture (7) dans l'emplacement de chaque compartiment, une ou plusieurs rangées de compartiments (3) étant prévues sur la bande adhésive (1), et la bande de protection (4) comprend un nombre correspondant de rangées d'ouvertures (7), caractérisée en ce que la substance à tester est placée dans les compartiments (3), la bande de protection (4) est enlevée de la bande adhésive (1) et ensuite la bande adhésive (1) est appliquée directement à la peau.

2. Utilisation selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle chaque compartiment (3) comprend un fond en forme de plaque (5) qui est fixé sur la bande adhésive (1) et comporte un bord en saillie (6) entourant le fond (5), et la forme de chaque ouverture (7) de la bande de protection (4) correspond à la périphérie du bord (6).

3. Utilisation selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle les compartiments (3) ne sont pas en communication mutuelle, et toute la surface de la bande de protection (4) porte contre la bande adhésive (1).

4. Utilisation selon la revendication 2 ou 3, dans laquelle le bord (6) est arrondi en coupe transversale.

5. Utilisation selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle l'arrondi est plus grand à l'intérieur du bord qu'à l'extérieur.

6. Utilisation selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle la plaque (5) est carrée et comprend des angles arrondis, et les bords (6) ont des angles arrondis correspondants.

7. Utilisation selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle une couche, comprenant au moins une ouverture, est située sur la bande adhésive, ladite ouverture formant un compartiment conjointement avec la bande adhésive et les ouvertures de la couche coïncidant avec les ouvertures de la bande de protection.

8. Utilisation selon l'une quelconque des précédentes revendications, dans laquelle il est prévu une bande de recouvrement détachable (9) recouvrant les compartiments (3) sur le côté opposé à la bande adhésive (1).

9. Utilisation selon l'une quelconque des précédentes revendications, dans laquelle la bande de protection (4) est pourvue d'une entaille (14) près de l'un de ses côtés périphériques.

Drawing